Doll with electrical actuation



March 1966 J. H. FORKNER DOLL WITH ELECTRICAL ACTUATION Filed April 2,1963 R ms TN NK R O mF H N H 0 V BY m /MM ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,239 961 DOLL WITH ELECTRICAL ACTUATION John H. Forkner, 6870 W.Herndon, Fresno, Calif. Filed Apr. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 269,995 9 Claims.(Cl. 46-228) This invention relates generally to dolls of the typehaving one or more response devices adapted to be activated byapplication of an electrical current.

In general it is an object of the invention to provide a doll-havingnovel realism in its responses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a doll which automaticallyeffects a realistic response when another properly equipped doll isbrought into its proximity.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiments have beensetforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Refer-ring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view with a circuit diagram illustrating oneembodiment of my invention.

FIGURE 2 schematically illustrates a pattern of magnetic devicesassociated with another doll for operating the arrangement of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 schematically illustrates how magnetic devices can beassociated with the lip portions of a doll head.

FIGURE 4 is a detail in section likewise indicating how a magneticswitch can be associated with the lip portions.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a doll head in section, with the head beingequipped with the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

It is old to provide dolls wit-h various types of response devices tolend realism. For example, electric lamps have been associated with theeyes whereby when a concealed switch is manually operated, the eyes areilluminated or caused to blink. Also sound reproducing devices,operating from a sound record, have been employed with manual means fortheir operation. The present invention likewise uses one or more desiredresponse devices, but these devices are actuated by electrical meansincluding a magnetic switch which is mounted in such a fashion that itis sensitive to the approach of an external magnetic field. In thepreferred embodiment described, a magnetic switch is located in thegeneral region of the lip portion-s of the doll whereby when such regionis contacted by a like region of another doll equipped with permanentmagnet means, the switch is operated to activate the response device.

The arrangement schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1 consists ofelectric lamps 10 and 11 that are located within a doll head. Lamp 10 ispositioned so that it illuminates the translucent eyes 12, while lamp1'1 illuminates wall portion or portions 13, which are translucent. Theportions 13 may, for example, correspond to the checks of the doll andthe lamp 11 may provide a red light whereby the cheeks are caused toredden when the lamp is illuminated.

The lamps 10 and 11 are associated with magnetically operated switchesS1 and S2. The simple electrical circuitry between the switches S1 andS2 and the lamps 10 and 1 1, is such that the terminals of switch S1 areconnected in series with the lamp -10 and the battery 14. The terminalsof switch S2 likewise connect in series with the lamp 11 and the samebattery 14. Thus when the contacts of switch S1 are closed, lamp 10 isilluminated, and when switch S2 is closed, lamp 11 is illuminated.

In FIGURE 4 switch S1 has been shown comprising the hinged magneticarmature 16, associated with pole pieces 3,239,961 Patented Mar. 15,1966 17 of magnetic material. The terminals connect respectively to astationary contact, and a movable contact mounted upon the free end ofthe armature 16. The pole pieces 17 are shown mounted in the lipportions 21 of the doll head, in such a manner that they are readilyinfluenced by the presence of an adjacent exterior magnetic field.

Assuming that a plurality of magnetically operated switches areemployed, together with two or more response devices, the switches canbe grouped as shown in FIGURE 1. The intervening magnets M1 and M2 maybe simple permanent magnets of the Alnico type. The fields of themagnets may be suitably shielded, whereby they do not affect the nearbyswitches S1 and S2. Instead of or in addition to magnetic shielding, theswitches S1 and S2 can be neutralized with respect to magnets M1 and M2,by the use of a small permanent bridging magnet 22 between the polepieces 17, whereby in effect the magnetic field of an adjacent permanentmagnet is neutralized, without however rendering the switch insensitiveto an exterior magnetic field which is applied to the pole pieces 17.

The exterior magnetic field is provided by another like doll, asindicated schematically in FIGURE 4. The lip portions 23 of this dollare provided with the permanent magnet M1, whereby when the lips of thetwo dolls are placed in proximity to simulate a kiss, the field ofmagnet M1 serves to operate the switch S1, thus illuminating the light10. Assuming that the second doll has only a single permanent magnet,then there must be some shift in the positioning of the lips to bringthe field of this magnet into cooperative position with either one ofthe two switches S1 and S2.

Preferably the second doll is provided with two magnets MI and M2, asshown schematically in FIGURE 2, whereby in one positioning of thesecond doll with respect to the first, the field of both magnets M1 andM2 can be caused to operate the switches S1 and S2, thus illuminating"both the lights 10 and 11. Here again however by shifting one doll withrespect to the other, the responses can be provided separately. Again asindicated in FIGURE 2, the second doll may be provided with both themagnets M1 and M2, and the switches S1 and S2, all in a pattern similarto that in the first doll. The second doll is provided with responsedevices and circuitry, which may *be the same as in the first doll. Itwill be evident that with this arrangement of two dolls, the responseswill vary depending upon the positioning between the dolls, whereby bothlight-s can be illuminated in each doll, or the lamps illuminatedseparately.

While in the foregoing I have referred to the use of electric lamps forobtaining desired responses, it will be appreciated that other types ofresponse devices can be used/which are either directly actuated, ordriven by motor means which can be initiated into operation byapplication of an electrical current. For example sound reproducingdevices can be employed, which are either directly operated by anelectrical motor, or which have manually wound spring means released byapplication of an electrical current.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a complete head which is equipped with magneticallyoperated switches and magnets and lights 10 and 11. The light 10 (or twolights if desired), shines upon the back sides of the translucent eyes12. The light 11 is arranged generally to illuminate the interior of thehead, and illuminates the translucent cheek portions 13, which areeither thinner than the remainder of the head walls, or made of moretranslucent material. The switches and electromagnets are indicatedgenerally at 26, and are set into the lip portions in the mannerpreviously described. The flexible electrical conductors 27 and 28extend down into the body of the doll for connection with a suitablebattery.

FIGURE 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which certainelectrostatic effects are obtained when a magnetic switch is closed.Thus in this instance a magnetically operated switch 31, which may belocated and operated in the manners previously described, is connectedin series with a circuit including the two glow discharge tubes 32 and33, the voltage transformer 34 and the condenser 35. A small battery 36,of the multiple cell type, is connected across the condenser 35 inseries with the resistor 37. Assuming that the voltage of the battery 36is properly selected with relation to the capacity of condenser 35 andthe value of resistor 37, such circuit functions are as follows. Thebattery 36 maintains the condenser 35 charged, by virtue of currentsupplied through the resistor 37. When the switch 31 is closed, currentssurging from the condenser 35 passes through the glow discharge tubes 32and 33 whereby these tubes are flashed. Tubes 32 and 33 areautomatically extinguished because of the relatively high value of theresistor 37. Immediately after tubes 32 and 33 have flashed, rechargingof condenser 35 commences and continues until completed.

Member 38 represents a portion of a doll head which is made of suitabledielectric material, such as molded synthetic resins. A metallicelectrode 39 is embedded within the head portion 38 and is connected byconductor 41 to the high voltage terminal of the voltage transformer 42.The other terminal of the high voltage transformer 42 is assumed to beelectrostatically grounded. As indicated at 43, the head of the doll isprovided with hair made of natural or synthetic filaments capable oftaking an electrostatic charge.

Operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 is as follows. The glowdischarge tubes 32 and 33 take the place of the lamps 10 of FIGURE andare mounted in conjunction with the eyes of the doll. When the switch 31is momentarily closed, the eyes of the doll are flashed and at the sametime a high voltage pulse of negligible current value is applied to theelectrode 39, thereby causing the filaments of the hair to assume anelectrostatic charge. This serves to cause the filaments of hair torepel each other and to give the appearance of standing on end. Thecharge can be dissipated as by contacting the hair with the hand.

In place of the simple circuitry shown in FIGURE 6, known types oftransistor circuitry can be used for the same purpose. For example, Ican use the circuitry disclosed in Root 2,829,257, by inserting asuitable switch in series with the energizing battery, together with avoltage transformer corresponding to the transformer 34.

When an arrangement such as shown in FIGURE 6 is employed to obtain anelectrostatic effect on the hair, the doll can be supplied with acondition whereby the electrostatic properties can be temporarilymodified. The condition may, for example, be a simple aqueous liquidwhich is non-toxic and which can be appled to the bar like a hair oil,with brushing or combing to reduce its electrostatic properties, thuspermitting the hair to be groomed as desired. When the liquidevaporates, the electrostatic properties are restored. Also I may supplycombs or brushes made of metal or metalized, whereby when applied to thehair a static charge is removed. Other conditions may increase theelectrostatic effect, such as resin powders and the like.

Although the foregoing description refers to dolls that simulate humanbeings, it is to be understood that the features of my invention can beapplied to various figurines, such as figures of animals and the like.

I claim:

1. In a doll, a structure forming a doll figure with a head having lipportions, a magnetic switch concealed within the head and associatedwith the-general region of 4. the lip portions, said switch includingmagnetic pole means extending in proximity with the exterior surfaces ofthe lips and being operated by proximity of an external magnetic fieldadjacent said region, a response device within the doll structure, andelectric circuit means including a source of current serving to connectthe switch means with the response device whereby when a magnetic fieldis located in proximity with said region of the head, said switch isoperated to activate the response device.

2. A doll as in claim 1 in which said pole means includes two spacedmagnetic poles, one pole being disposed within each of the two lips ofthe head.

3. A doll as in claim 1 in which two of said magnetic switches areprovided, the pole means of both said switches being disposed within thelip portions, together with at least two response devices adapted toafford different responses, and circuit means including a source ofcurrent serving to connect the two switch means with the two responsedevices, whereby said response devices are selectively activated when amagnetic field is located in proximity with the pole means of aparticular switch.

4. A doll as in claim 3 in which the response means consists of electriclamps disposed to illuminate different portions of the doll head.

5. A doll as in claim 3 together with at least one permanent magnethaving pole means located within the lip portions, said permanent magnetsupplying a magnetic field for the operation of a like doll.

6. In a doll, a structure forming a figure with a head, magnetic switchconcealed within the figure, said switch having magnetic pole meansadjacent but covered by one exterior surface area of the structure andhaving contacts within the figure operated by proximity of an exteriormagnetic field, said magnetic pole means also being located in thegeneral region of the lip portions of the doll head, a response devicewithin the doll structure, and electrical circuit means including asource of current serving to connect the switch means with the responsedevice whereby when a magnetic field is located in proximity with saidpole means said switch is operated to close said contacts to activatethe response device.

7. A doll as in claim 6 in which the (1011 includes hairlike filamentshaving electrostatic properties and the response device applies anelectrostatic charge to the filaments.

8. A doll as in claim 6 in which a plurality of said magnetic switchesare provided with the magnetic pole pieces of the same disposed in onegeneral area, and in which a plurality of response devices are provided,together with a plurality of circuits connected between the respectivecontacts of the switch means and the response devices, whereby saidresponse devices are selectively activated by operation of said switchmeans.

9. A doll as in claim 6 in which a plurality of said magnetic switchesare provided, with the magnetic pole means thereof located in the lipportions of the doll head, and in which a plurality of response devicesare provided together with a plurality of circuit means connecting saidcontacts of said switch means with said response devices, each of saidresponse devices affording a different response.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,604,087 10/1926Tate 46-472 X 2,749,663 6/1956 Lemelson 46236 2,781,611 2/1957 Bills etal. 46-228 X 2,957,273 10/1960 Hughes et al. 46-227 FOREIGN PATENTS647,804 9/ 1962 Canada. 465,817 1937 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner.

1. IN A DOLL, A STRUCTURE FORMING A DOLL FIGURE WITH A HEAD HAVING LIPPORTIONS, A MAGNETIC SWITCH CONCEALED WITHIN THE HEAD AND ASSOCIATEDWITH THE GENERAL REGION OF THE LIP PORTIONS, SAID SWITCH INCLUDINGMAGNETIC POLE MEANS EXTENDING IN PROXIMITY WITH THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OFTHE LIPS AND BEING OPERATED BY PROXIMITY OF AN EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELDADJACENT SAID REGION, A RESPONSE DEVICE